Post subject: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and vegans

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:38 pm

Attended Chelsea Clinton's Wedding

Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:09 pmPosts: 196

While I don't have any particular movie or commericial to quote I have noticed more jokes about vegetarianism and being vegan in the past 2-3 years. There are two pet food commercials I've seen run recently that talk about that animals are not vegetarian or vegan. I was at a comedy show recently which included a stereotypical vegan joke. I was talking to someone who shares my dietary interests about this. I think more people could be seeking to change their diets so it's now becoming more prominent in the form of jokes in media. Not so long ago you'd never see any jokes of this nature. Her conclusion is that it's safe and considered PC to go after vegetarian and vegans vs other groups. Have you noticed this and what do you think?

_________________"Evolution is a constant process"If God hands you a literal lemon- keep your head up- Build a Lemonade Stand

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:44 pm

Bathes in Braggs

Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 12:16 pmPosts: 1315Location: ATX

I've noticed that too, but in some instances I think it's cool that veganism is "on the map" enough to make a joke about it with the understanding that it's a household word. During the football games on the sports channels there's always that Geico commercial where the antelopes make a joke that the lion should go vegan. It's not done in an insulting way, though.

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:56 pm

Drinks Wild Tofurkey

Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2010 6:15 pmPosts: 2876

What do you mean by "other groups" exactly? Making fun of vegans is very different from say, making fun of people of color or trans people or women or something. I don't think "PC" really plays into it.

_________________"No one with hair so soft and glossy could ever be bad at anything." - Tofulish

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:45 am

Should Write a Goddam Book Already

Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:51 amPosts: 1026Location: RI

mandycoot wrote:

I've noticed that too, but in some instances I think it's cool that veganism is "on the map" enough to make a joke about it with the understanding that it's a household word. During the football games on the sports channels there's always that Geico commercial where the antelopes make a joke that the lion should go vegan. It's not done in an insulting way, though.

I agree I kind of thing it's a good thing... enough people know what vegan means or know a vegan to get these jokes. I think vegans are becoming more commonplace and more people are aware of what veganism is. The less bizarre and strange we are, and the more commonplace, the higher chances of others being exposed to, influenced by, or trying out veganism.

I was talking to my dad the other day on the phone, and he starts, "I saw on Facebook where vegetarian means something in Indian..." and I responded, "If you continue that joke I'll hang up on you!" HA! He's like, oh, you've heard that? It was endearing though because he's my dad and tells bad jokes.

I have noticed more vegan jokes on the teevee, and I like it. People have to know what vegan means to get the joke, so more people know about it. Or they don't get it and google it, so more people find out about it.

_________________I would eat Dr. Cow pocket cheese in a second. I would eat it if you hid it under your hat, or in your backpack, but not if it was in your shoe. That's where I draw the line. -allularpunk

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:36 pm

Huffs Nutritional Yeast

Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:26 amPosts: 107

Well, if nothing else hopefully more folks will know how to pronounce vegan?

In all seriousness it depends on the joke. The antelopes really cracks me up. If the joke was mean I might get upset, but really? I am a vegan but that is not all I am. Plus I also always consider the source. I was thinking of Denis Leary's No Cure for Cancer album today. I laughed at some of the stuff when it came out. These days? Not so much.

Also, even a bad joke can spur a good conversation about why and how some people choose to go vegan.

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:52 pm

Heart of Vegan Marshmallow

Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:16 amPosts: 3062Location: SF Bay area

This is kiiiiiind of related. Sometimes I'll google a recipe and type in "vegetarian ___ " because I think it will bring up more hits than if I type in vegan. And then the search page is full of vegan recipes on vegan blogs and there are almost no vegetarian versions. This was definitely not the case a few years ago. So...yay, increased vegan presence in general!

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:00 pm

Should Spend More Time Helping the Animals

Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:57 pmPosts: 6535Location: Boston, MA

Ha! I don't find it offensive at all.

_________________I would eat Dr. Cow pocket cheese in a second. I would eat it if you hid it under your hat, or in your backpack, but not if it was in your shoe. That's where I draw the line. -allularpunk

I feel as though the jokes about vegans that I've heard lately here in the UK are on a level with the ones I used to hear about vegetarians fifteen years or so ago, such as the one that goes something along the lines of "the veg*ns would have been up in arms, if only they'd had the strength". I think it's a sign of progress; vegetarianism has become mostly accepted as normal, feasible and even healthy, while veganism is still getting there.

_________________Some woopiter from Jupiter then says, and I quote: "That can't be true because I read otherwise online. Just look on Youtube." - torque

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:51 pm

Top of the food chain & doesn't need to prove it

Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:27 pmPosts: 625

There was a joke on a recent episode of Cougar Town where a vegan couple wanted to move into the neighborhood. They didn't want them there because they were "healthy" and the Cougar Town people like to drink all the time and eat garbage. So it was complimentary to vegans. The couple was dressed in athletic clothes, not in your typical 'ha ha' hippie clothing. I was pleased.

I feel as though the jokes about vegans that I've heard lately here in the UK are on a level with the ones I used to hear about vegetarians fifteen years or so ago, such as the one that goes something along the lines of "the veg*ns would have been up in arms, if only they'd had the strength". I think it's a sign of progress; vegetarianism has become mostly accepted as normal, feasible and even healthy, while veganism is still getting there.

Where are these jokes occurring? I feel like I'm missing out on an opportunity to be pissed off!! Did you read the comments somewhere?

_________________#sexysocialism

"I will take a drugged, sex-crazed, punk rock commie over Mrs. Thatch any day of the week" - Vantine

I feel as though the jokes about vegans that I've heard lately here in the UK are on a level with the ones I used to hear about vegetarians fifteen years or so ago, such as the one that goes something along the lines of "the veg*ns would have been up in arms, if only they'd had the strength". I think it's a sign of progress; vegetarianism has become mostly accepted as normal, feasible and even healthy, while veganism is still getting there.

Where are these jokes occurring? I feel like I'm missing out on an opportunity to be pissed off!! Did you read the comments somewhere?

I don't own a television so mostly from going to see stand-up comedians and listening to Radio 4 as I tune in to a lot of their comedy programmes.

_________________Some woopiter from Jupiter then says, and I quote: "That can't be true because I read otherwise online. Just look on Youtube." - torque

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, i don't like veganism being presented as something to be laughed at. It gives the impression that veganism is stupid. On the other hand, it's kinda funny, and it gives veganism exposure. I guess mostly it just depends on the joke, if it's actually mean or just something silly. I can't think of anything i've seen in popular media making fun of vegans that i found offensive. I've heard people say jokes about vegans that i have found rude and just plain stupid, though. Usually when i hear something in popular media about vegans i'm like "Haha, i can relate to that."

_________________lack toast intolerant: intolerant of not having toast

Post subject: Re: Increase in popular media jokes about vegetarian and veg

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 11:15 am

rowdily playing checkers

Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:53 pmPosts: 3097

While veganism might be getting talked about more often in the popular media, I'm disturbed by the declining trend of representation in the unpopular media. I don't remember the last time I read an article droning on about veganism in The New Dork Times, or heard them sermonize about it on PRI's High Horse.